Amazon wants to sell your Kindle’s physical buttons back to you for $35

Amazon has unveiled a refreshed lineup of Kindles, with the company claiming to have redesigned the devices from the ground up. While the new Kindles maintain the same slim profile and sleek aesthetics, Amazon has eliminated physical buttons from the current models. However, the company has introduced a new $80 cover featuring page-turn buttons and a $35 Kindle Bluetooth clicker for users who miss the tactile experience of traditional Kindle models.

The decision to phase out physical buttons began with the introduction of the Kindle Touch in 2011 and was completed with the discontinuation of the Oasis in October 2024. Amazon has since provided a workaround via a "Double Tap to Page Turn" gesture on the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Colorsoft, enabling users to navigate forward pages by tapping the sides or back of the device. However, this feature does not support page navigation in reverse.

Despite the removal of physical buttons, Amazon's revamped Kindles boast a range of features and improvements. The basic 6-inch Kindle, priced at $150, includes 16 GB of storage, up to six weeks of battery life, and faster book-opening speeds. It is available in two color options: ube and graphite. For those seeking more storage, an aluminum variant offers 32 GB of storage, an 80% recycled matte aluminum back, and is available in ube and seaglass colors.

The waterproof Paperwhite model starts at $200, providing up to 12 weeks of battery life and a warm adjustable light. The Signature Edition of the Paperwhite, priced at $250, elevates the experience with an aluminum back, auto-adjusting light, pogo-pin dock charging, and double-tap page turning. The Colorsoft, priced at $290 (or $320 for its Signature Edition), combines a premium design with features like 12 months of Amazon Kids+.

Amazon's innovative design choices extend to the device's construction, adopting a "reverse-stack display" technique. This technique enables the screen to be completely flat, eliminating any raised lip or bezel around the glass, resulting in a cleaner appearance free from dust accumulation and improved aesthetics.

In addition to the physical clicker, Amazon has introduced a $35 Bluetooth remote control designed to turn pages across all current Kindle models and those released from 2024. This remote control caters to users who find page turning on the screen or with a single finger inconvenient.